Printer Friendly Version
PR. No.236/2008
Date: 31/07/2008
STATEMENT BY MAKHDOOM SHAH MAHMOOD QURESHI, FOREIGN MINISTER OF PAKISTAN,AT THE 30TH MEETING OF THE SAARC COUNCIL OF MINISTERS, COLOMBO, (31 July 2008)
Mr. Chairman,
I wish to begin by extending to you our congratulations on your assumption of the Chairmanship of the Council of Ministers. I am confident that under your stewardship, the Council would fulfill its mandate. I assure you of the full cooperation of my delegation.
Mr. Chairman,
I also wish to thank you and the Government of Sri Lanka for the warm welcome and the gracious hospitality extended to us.
I take this opportunity to express our appreciation for the commendable manner in which His Excellency Pranab Mukherjee steered the work of the Council for the last one year.
I would also like to thank Secretary General Dr. Sheel Kant Sharma, and the SAARC Secretariat, for their important contribution to the preparatory work of the Summit.
Mr. Chairman,
We welcome the theme of the Summit chosen by Sri Lanka: “Partnership for growth for our people”. We share the conviction that people should be at the heart of all SAARC processes. Socio-economic development is linked, in large measure, to the creation of peace and stability. We are confident that the Colombo Summit would contribute to building trust and according a pragmatic impetus to regional cooperation in South Asia.
Since its establishment in 1985, SAARC has come a long way. From the initial tentative steps limited to technical cooperation, SAARC now has grown into a vibrant organization tackling the challenging subjects of social uplift, regional connectivity, food security, energy cooperation, and human resource development. It must continue to surge ahead and become an effective vehicle for regional cooperation. The coming years would surely test our collective resolve as we embark on addressing the difficult but vital questions related to inter-dependence and integration.
Mr. Chairman,
Pakistan is committed to the SAARC objectives. We have made substantial contribution towards various SAARC processes and taken a number of initiatives in furthering the goals of close regional cooperation.
Pakistan believes that SAARC can enhance its relevance to the peoples of our region by pursuing people-centered and result oriented approach. In this regard, we find merit in many of the recommendations given by the Secretary General in his detailed analysis report.
We agree with the Secretary General that poverty alleviation and achievement of SAARC Development Goals (SDGs) should be a priority for SAARC. Pakistan has taken a number of steps for the attainment of this objective. We have also aligned our national goals to SDGs.
The rising food prices have placed an added stress on our efforts to achieve SDGs, in particular poverty alleviation. Achieving food security in our region should be a matter of high priority for us.
Pakistan, therefore, strongly supports early operationalization of SAARC Food Bank. Besides, SAARC needs to develop a comprehensive and holistic regional strategy on food security, which should include sharing of best practices in agricultural sector, technology transfer and efficient irrigation system.
In this regard, I had shared my ideas with you. I am pleased to learn that our Foreign Secretaries have finalized the text of a separate Declaration: “Colombo Statement on Food Security”, which expresses our resolve to take urgent actions to ensure food security in our region. We should commend this Declaration to our Leaders for approval.
Likewise, the rising prices of fossil fuel in international market warrant SAARC to step up its efforts for regional energy security through sharing of indigenous sources of energy, i.e. solar, wind, bio, and hydro.
We hope that the ADB study on options/benefits and constraints of intra-SAARC energy trade will contribute to our endeavours in this field.
I had proposed to all colleagues in the Council of Ministers that SAARC may consider concluding a regional inter-governmental framework agreement to provide an enabling environment for such cooperation. I am pleased to note that the draft SAARC Declaration prepared by the Foreign Secretaries adequately addresses this important subject.
The fourteenth SAARC Summit had directed SAARC to move from declaratory to implementation phase. SAARC should, therefore, focus on project-based cooperation.
SAARC mechanisms should identify regional and sub-regional projects in priority areas. Each Member States should adopt at least one project as the lead country.
We should also involve SAARC Observers and other relevant international organizations in the implementation of projects. I believe these ideas have been duly reflected in the draft Declaration prepared for adoption by our Leaders.
Mr. Chairman,
Fourteenth SAARC Summit had stressed the need for regional connectivity. It is important to take early action on development of transport and communication infrastructure to link SAARC countries with each other as well as with other regions. These are essential pre-requisites for regional trade and economic cooperation.
SAFTA is progressing well. We can strengthen the efficacy of SAFTA by complementing it with other trade facilitation measures including elimination of all non-tariff and para-tariff barriers.
We are happy to note that the SAARC Ministerial meeting on climate change held in Dhaka earlier this month has evolved a comprehensive plan of action on climate change. Our efforts to protect the environment and climate change should include measures to protect melting of the glaciers of the Himalayas and the Karakoram, which are the major source of fresh water in the region.
We note the progress made with regard to SAARC Regional Multi-model Transport Study (SRMTC). We support the development of pilot projects through consultations.
Mr. Chairman,
Pakistan supports early operationalization of SAARC Development Fund (SDF). Pakistan has offered to host the Secretariat of the SDF. The Secretariat of its predecessor organization, South Asia Development Fund (SADF), was also based in Pakistan.
As a front-line state in the global fight against terrorism, Pakistan attaches great importance to regional cooperation to combat terrorism, drugs and human trafficking. Pakistan has taken a number of measures, backed by appropriate legislation, to counter the menaces of drugs and human trafficking and terrorism. We have formal mechanisms with 39 countries on issues relating to terrorism.
We welcome the finalization of the SAARC Convention on Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters.
Pakistan advocates the need for SAARC to open up to the world and enter into collaborative arrangements with international and regional organizations. In this spirit, we had supported granting observer status to important countries and EU. We also welcome the interest shown by Australia and Myanmar for obtaining observer status with SAARC. We believe we should now think of going beyond observer status and think of dialogue partnerships with those Observers who wish to actively associate with SAARC programmes, activities, and projects. In this regard, we commend the Standing Committee for preparing the requisite Guidelines for cooperation with Observers and Inter-Governmental Organizations. This would indeed enrich the work of our Organizations.
Mr. Chairman,
In conclusion, let me state that in its third decade SAARC must mould itself into an effective regional organization that is responsive to the aspirations of its peoples. We must introspect, constantly evaluate what we have achieved so far, and clearly identify our priority areas for further action. We have tremendous potential. We can leverage it to avail of the opportunities available and overcome our challenges.
I hope that our deliberations in this session would give a new push to the multifaceted regional cooperation. Pakistan would always be ready to provide its full support to this shared objective.
I have touched upon all important issues on our agenda today. We can discuss these issues further as we take up these items as per the agenda of the meeting.
Thank You
Islamabad
31 July 2008 |